What year is a 26 plate?
Why “26”?
March plates use the last two digits of the year, so 2026 plates are 26.
What can a 26 plate go on?
As a private plate, it can go on any vehicle first registered on or after 1 March 2026. DVLA won’t let a plate make a vehicle look newer than it is, so it can’t go on anything older.
Looking for a plate for an older car? Choose an earlier identifier, or a dateless plate, which can go on a vehicle of any age.
Plates either side
| Plate | Issued |
|---|---|
| 25 plate | 1 March 2025 – 31 August 2025 |
| 75 plate | 1 September 2025 – 28 February 2026 |
| 26 plate | 1 March 2026 – 31 August 2026 |
| 76 plate | 1 September 2026 – 28 February 2027 |
| 27 plate | 1 March 2027 – 31 August 2027 (next) |
Buying or selling the car?
The plate tells you when a car was first registered, not its history. Check its MOT record before you buy.
Common questions
Is a 26 plate 2026?
Yes. 26 plates were issued from 1 March 2026 to 31 August 2026.
How old is a 26 plate car?
In November 2026, a 26 plate car is less than a year old, counted from its first registration. If the plate is a private one the car could be newer.
Can I put a 26 plate on an older car?
No. A plate can’t make a vehicle look newer than it is, so a 26 plate can only go on a vehicle first registered on or after 1 March 2026.
What plate came after 26?
76, issued from 1 September 2026.
Got a full reg? Check it in the year checker or see the full year chart.
Source: GOV.UK: Vehicle registration numbers and number plates (INF104). Ages are worked out from first registration as of 3 November 2026.